Impressive Eagles tame Lions

The West Coast Eagles have shown why they are the overwhelming favourites to take out the AFL premiership with a convincing 23-point victory over the Brisbane Lions at Subiaco Oval in Perth.

The round 16 fixture had been billed as a blockbuster clash, and although it failed to live up to expectations it did show the Eagles are the team to beat heading into the finals with their 17.9 (111) to 13.10 (88) victory.

The final winning margin flattered the Lions, who kicked a late series of goals to give themselves a degree of respectability on the scoreboard.

Eagles captain Ben Cousins marked his 200th game with four goals however Dean Cox and Michael Gardiner were both reported for striking.

Coach John Worsfold says he was relieved other players were not distracted by Brisbane's tough tactics.

"Very pleased because that rough stuff is to try and break your mental resolve and I don't think we did," he said.

Lions ruckman Jamie Charman was also reported for striking and coach Leigh Matthews admits the pressure of the game got to some of his players.

"Big crowd, home team up and running and flowing you know, it's seven goals behind at quarter time," he said.

Young Lions Daniel Merrett and Anthony Corrie both kicked doubles and Luke Power led his side's possession count with 28 touches.

The Eagles, who have now won 15 of their 16 matches so far this season, face the Sydney Swans at the Sydney Cricket Ground next week while the Lions host Essendon at the Gabba.

Soaring Eagles

Both sides attempted to stamp their authority on the match early in the opening quarter but it was the Eagles who struck first blood when Lynch goaled from an attacking movement that had begun down field.

The Lions almost had a six-point response when Simon Black kicked for goal from just inside the attacking 50, however his shot lacked accuracy and instead went through for a behind.

Both sides had further scoring chances and it was the Eagles who capitalised to kick goals through Cousins and Chick.

Cousins registered his side's second major after gathering a kick from Chick inside the 50, although his effort was assisted by a lack of defensive pressure from the Lions.

The dearth of Brisbane backmen also aided Chick when he recorded his six-pointer, the Eagles tagger being allowed to play on from a mark outside the 50 and run through to a position close to goal.

The Eagles then added three more unanswered goals through Michael Gardiner (2) and Mark Nicoski.

Gardiner had only joined the fray from the Eagles bench shortly before kicking back-to-back goals while Nicoski's score opened up a 35-point lead for the home side.

Merrett grabbed one goal back for the Lions with his set-shot effort and his side's first six-pointer, but it was countered when Cousins added two more to the Eagles' total as quarter-time approached.

At the first break, West Coast led 8.3 (51) to 1.3 (9).

The shell-shocked Lions could have fallen in a heap following quarter-time but instead they showed impressive composure to register three straight goals.

Corrie, Bradshaw and then captain Michael Voss goaled for Brisbane, their scores helping cut the Eagles' lead back to 24 points.

The momentum of the match seemed to be swinging slightly away from West Coast, but Brownlow medallist Chris Judd arrested Brisbane's goal streak when he negotiated a tight angle on the left forward flank to record the Eagles' ninth major.

Following a lull in scoring proceedings, the Eagles strengthened their grip on the match when Lynch kicked his second goal late in the term after some excellent lead-up work from Cousins.

At half-time, the Eagles led 10.7 (67) to 4.8 (32).

The Lions kept themselves in touch with the Eagles early in the third term through goals to Merrett and Corrie.

Again it appeared the Eagles' control of the match was under threat but a goal to Cousins, his fourth for the match, and then a second to Chick ended any realistic hope Brisbane had of recording a sixth straight win.

Phil Matera then gave the Eagles their 13th major with his set-shot from the left half-forward flank, helping his side to a 13.8 (86) to 6.10 (46) lead at the three-quarter time.

Brisbane added respectability to their total shortly after the final change when Ashley McGrath goaled but the Eagles showed they were intent on finishing the job when Chick kicked his third and Michael Braun joined the goal scorers' list with a long-range effort.

Bradshaw kicked his second goal midway before the term, his major however being cancelled out when Lynch completed his treble from the right half-forward flank.

Despite full-time approaching, Brisbane refused to give up with Notting (3) and Bradshaw kicking late goals to provide some consolation to the contingent of Lions' supporters who had travelled west for the clash.

Andrew McDougall broke the Lions' goal spree with the Eagles' final goal before Bradshaw added his fourth for the night to close out the scoring.